A central committee member of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Pradip Giri, has said that the NC (D) should opt for a republican set-up.

Speaking at a programme, Giri said that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s demand for a ceremonial king is against the aspirations of the people expressed during the popular movement of the country.

“Leaders are aware of people’s aspirations, but they are going against them,” he said, adding, “It is not the arms that made the Maoists powerful, but their courage and the capacity to grasp the people’s sentiments.”

“At this crucial hour, we should decide whether or not to keep the monarchy,” he said.

He suggested to go for a referendum on whether to keep a corrected monarchy or establish a republic before the election of the constituent assembly.

He however said that the constituent assembly election should not be held until the arms were managed.

Speaking at the same programme, standing committee member of the CPN-UML Modnath Prashrit said, “The CA should decide the fate of the monarchy.”

Stating that Nepal’s future lies in a republican order, student leaders, including Kalyan Kumar Gurung, Kiran Poudel and Ram Krishna Chitrakar, also urged the NC (D) to go for a republican set-up.

Vice-chairman of the NC (D) Prakash Man Singh admitted that the meeting of the executive committee of the party could not take place due to technical problems.